These cool concept cars represent the innovation of technology and design for their respective timelines. The 1938 Buick
Y-Job is a primary example of these advances as it attempted to determine what cars would look like a decade later, including power windows and hidden headlights. Of course, World War II would greatly impede progress. Designers originally used the idea of a concept car as an opportunity to flex their creative muscles. These models used to represent elusive projects, but now car brands
use the concept car as a tactic to gauge public interest and inform its decision to start production on a particular vehicle. Cool concept cars of the past
The 1960s had an abundance of space-age inspired cars, as highlighted by Car and Driver
. This included the Ford Gyron that was introduced at the New York Auto Show in 1961. It featured a cordless telephone, but only had a top speed of 5 mph from the small electric motor.
The 1964 GM X Stiletto was shaped like a rocket and required occupants to climb in from the rear. The 1969 Mercedes-Benz C 111 was a mid-engine two-seater with gullwing doors. It saw many iterations but never hit the production floor.
Dodge built the Flitewing in 1961 with its extreme forward lean and power-operated, flip-up, butterfly-style windows. These were ideal for entering and exiting the vehicle, but not so much for staying cool in the cabin on a hot day. The Dodge Deora combined the look of a flat-nosed cab-over van with the bed of a pickup truck. Its design was immortalized as a Hot Wheels toy.
There were the cool concept cars of the 1950s with their superhero designs. The Alfa Romeo Alfa BAT Cars were an experiment in aerodynamics. The Lincoln Futura of the same era was later used as the actual Batmobile in the “Batman”television series that ran from 1966 to 1968.
Cool concept cars from recent years
This car excited street-rodding enthusiasts back in 1993. The automaker was using the cool concept car to test new assembly methods for its mainstream vehicles. MotorTrend
reports that it actually made it into production in 1997 and evolved into the Chrysler Prowler in 2001. It was one of the company’s many cool concept cars from that decade. Unveiled in 1995, it had a straight-eight engine and attempted to compete, unsuccessfully, with luxurious classics like Bugatti.
The Japanese automaker attempted a flowing design in 2007 that it referred to as “Nagare.” It famously caught fire the following year on the television show “Top Gear.” The undulating lines never really transferred into its mass-market sales, unless you count the stamped wavy lines on the side of the now-defunct Mazda 5.
It was introduced in 2003 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It had a 13.6-liter V16 engine with an output of 1,000 hp. While the motor never made it to production, its styling is still adopted by designers of the company’s ATS and CTS models.
This Australian throwback debuted in 2005, but onlookers may have guessed the car was from the 1950s. Its retro aesthetic was inspired by one of the automaker’s sedans of that era. It had a supercharged V8 motor atop a C6 Corvette chassis.
Stretch out a Wrangler and you have one of the coolest concept cars of recent years. It’s an off-roading powerhouse riding on huge 39.5-inch tires.
You may recognize this cool concept car from 1994 as it paid homage to the Beetle model from years gone by. It was an instant hit, especially among female car buyers. Volkswagen went on to manufacture the dome-shaped car for another 12 years.
When a cool concept car goes into production
If you’re one of those lucky car buyers that sees one of your favorite concept cars make it to production, don’t hesitate to take advantage of such a rare occurrence. And you should definitely take advantage of Jerry
, which is a car ownership super app
. Answer a handful of questions in about 45 seconds to receive car insurance quotes from over 50 top carriers. Once you’ve made your selection, Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.
4.7
